Fit for the Future: How Smarter Substrates Are Reshaping Horticulture

Growing Media Europe on why performance, transparency, and innovation in substrates are key to horticulture’s sustainable transition.

A tailored, high-performance growing medium is one of the most effective tools for reducing the environmental footprint of plant production. By enabling crops to thrive using less water, fertiliser, land, and chemical inputs, fit-for-purpose substrates are a cornerstone of sustainable horticulture, not an obstacle to it. As global demand for growing media rises, Europe’s producers focus on reducing their sector’s environmental impact and maximising their positive contribution to greener cities, healthy diets, and afforestation.

Cecilia Luetgebrune, Secretary General of Growing Media Europe (GME), has coordinated and managed all GME activities since the organisation’s founding in 2016. With a strong background in political advocacy and stakeholder engagement, she brings over a decade of experience in public affairs, spanning agriculture, hunting, and wildlife conservation. Based in Brussels and Berlin, Cecilia holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science from the Humboldt University of Berlin.

In this Q&A, she shares how GME is helping its members align with European sustainability goals, the role of its landmark LCA tool and GMEF guidelines, and how the sector is responding to shifts in material use, regulation, and grower expectations.

Cecilia Luetgebrune, Secretary General of Growing Media Europe.

FCI: For readers unfamiliar with GME, how would you describe its role in European horticulture?

Cecilia Luetgebrune: “GME is the voice of Europe’s growing media and soil improver producers. We advocate for a reliable, science-based legislative and regulatory framework that supports resource-efficient plant production across Europe. We represent companies that provide the substrates that enable efficient, high-quality growing—essential to food, ornamental, and tree production. Our work ensures that the growing media sector contributes meaningfully to Europe’s sustainability goals while keeping plant quality and grower viability front and centre.”

What impact have the GMEF guidelines and LCA tool had on the industry?

“The Growing Media Environmental Footprint Guidelines offer the first harmonised method for assessing the environmental footprint of growing media, following the PEF methodology outlined by the European Commission. This work began in 2018, with Version 1 published in 2021 and Version 2 in 2024. Paired with our online LCA tool, they help producers measure and reduce impacts across the full lifecycle by identifying production hotspots or using a higher share of lower-impact materials.”

How do the GMEF guidelines align with broader EU sustainability initiatives, such as FloriPEFCR?

“The GMEF guidelines are already integrated into broader EU Product Environmental Footprint frameworks, such as FloriPEFCR and FreshProducePEFCR. This ensures the footprints of growing media are consistently assessed and recognised as active contributors to yield and input efficiency. Embedding our guidelines in these systems ensures sustainability claims reflect the entire production chain—not just isolated components.”

What should growers know about the future role of peat, and how is GME supporting them?

“Due to its consistent, high-performing properties, peat will remain important for many crops. While there’s a push in some countries to reduce its use, GME supports a balanced, data-driven material portfolio that maintains plant quality and efficiency. With growing global demand for substrates, we need all materials available, provided they are safe and fit for purpose. We promote responsible sourcing and support restoration (see responsiblyproducedpeat.org).”

How are national peat-reduction strategies shaping the market, and what role does GME play across regions?

“The current landscape is fragmented, with varying national voluntary targets and timelines. GME helps coordinate strategies across borders, urging science-based and technically feasible policies. We advocate for clear definitions and an aligned EU-level framework to avoid confusion and market distortion. It’s important that strategies go beyond peat and focus on reducing environmental impact at the material, mix, and plant level.”

Which developments in non-peat materials are most promising right now?

“We prefer not to call them ‘alternatives’, as materials have different properties and cannot be replaced 1:1. ‘Non-peat’ is more accurate. There is exciting progress in established materials like coir, compost, and wood fibre—especially regarding water retention, fertiliser needs, and consistency. New materials like biochar, digestates, and plant fibres such as miscanthus or jute are also promising. The challenge isn’t just scaling volumes—it’s developing mixes tailored to specific crops and systems.”

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in diversifying growing media inputs?

“The sector isn’t moving away entirely from peat; rather, it is diversifying its input materials. This trend has been ongoing for decades and is driven by innovation. Recent political pressure has accelerated research, resulting in new substrate mixes. Companies that combine transparency, data, and crop-specific solutions will lead in a market that rewards function and sustainability.”

What’s your top message for growers navigating changes in substrates and regulation?

“Focus on performance, not just ingredients. A sustainable substrate supports plant health, resource efficiency, and yield. Ask for transparent data and assess the full impact. Growing media are enablers of sustainable production, and grower knowledge is key to optimising the whole cycle.”

Can you share a real-world example of sustainability innovation within GME’s network?

“It’s hard to name one—our members have long been developing sustainable substrates. Many are using our LCA tool to reduce emissions by designing lower-footprint mixes. A key trend is shorter supply chains: mixing growing media closer to customers and using locally sourced materials like compost or wood fibre. Growers, too, are innovating by reusing substrates or using layers.”

How is GME helping ensure sustainable media remain viable and accessible for professional growers?

“We offer technical tools, policy support, and research coordination to help members deliver fit-for-purpose products that support crop success. We also work with EU institutions to support innovation and fair competition. The EU-funded ‘Hort2TheFuture’ project is a great example. It ties together LCA tool development, legislation mapping, and research into new substrate mixes.

FURTHER READING

This article was first published in the May 2025 issue of FloraCulture International.